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Detroit 7 Interview

If it's hard rocking garage band style music you're looking for, then detroit 7 might just fit the bill. With Nabana on vocals and guitar,
Kotajima on bass and Yamaguchi banging the drums, these three Japanese musicians bring a lot of heart and soul to their high energy brand of music.

With their March 10th, 2009 release of the self-titled "detroit 7" album from the new Daruma Label and upcoming shows at South by Southwest, there could
be no better time to take a look at this fiery Japanese group with the very American name.

On March 6, 2009 the members of detroit 7 were kind enough to give an interview to Andrew
from J-Pop World. All photos courtesy of detroit 7.

Let's start with some exciting news for your overseas fans. Domo Music Group's new Daruma Label
will be releasing the self-titled album "detroit 7" on March 10th, 2009. Can you tell us how you got hooked up with them?

We just signed with a new Japanese record label called "Getting Better". They have an eye for the global market and their suggestion made up
our mind.

What kind of songs can fans expect on the CD?

Sexy & Glamorous & Dirty.

The band will play at this year's SXSW and do a 7 city tour of the US. What are you looking forward to the most?

We're looking forward to seeing American audiences again with their crazy and happy reactions.

Can you tell us some of your favorite memories from your previous North American tour? What about the US did you find most surprising?

Nabana: Favorite memory: I was happy that I could smoke more than I was expecting.
Surprising memory: How crazy the audience acted!

Let's learn about the group's background. Where was everyone born and raised?

Nabana: Middle of the mountains in Nagano.

Yamaguchi: In Chinatown in Yokohama.

Kotajima: In snowy Niigata.

What kind of kids were you?

Nabana: Outgoing. I used to drown in the river.

How did you first get into music?

Nabana: I used to watch rock bands performing on Japanese TV shows.

You've said you chose the band's name by picking a place and number that sounded good to you. Did you consider any other names at the time?

Nabana: Namste 400

How would you describe the group's musical style when you first started out?

Nabana: There were no lyrics... just screaming. It had more of a garage band taste.

Were there ever times you doubted you'd succeed? What kept you motivated?

Nabana: I was happy to hear about their stories when they did opening acts for Nirvana and Sonic Youth.

Your original drummer, Masashi Tabei, left the band in 2005. Yamaguchi, can you tell us how you were asked to join?

Yamaguchi: My musician friend recommended.

Had you always been a drummer?

Yamaguchi: YES.

Can you tell us about recording music at Ardent Studios in Memphis?

Nabana: It was jaw dropping to see John Humpton's technique.

Tell us about your 2008 release of "Third Star From The Earth". How do the newer songs compare with your earlier music?

Nabana: It's all dance tunes.

You sing some of your music in English. How difficult is it expressing yourself musically in a different language?

Nabana: It's not difficult. We are using English because the sound fits our music. Music is the universal language!!!!

Can you tell us about some of the more memorable performances you've done over the years?

Nabana: One was under the scorching sun at "FXFY". We felt a lack of oxygen when we played the first song. FXFY is always on the Saturday of
SXSW (that means that this year FXFY is happening on Saturday, March 21st). It starts around noon and finishes when we get done.

What advice would you give to a new group or artist just getting started?